Reaching Out to Our Frontline Social Work Alumni:  Providing a Virtual Environment of Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Sara Sanders, PhD, MSW, and Stephen P. Cummings, MSW, ACSW, LISW

     Although Iowa is a rural state, the COVID-19 pandemic has torn through the entire area, making an impact on families, communities, and systems. In mid-March, like many universities in the United States, the University of Iowa made the decision to initially hold classes online until April 3, 2020, only to move that decision to the entire semester just a few days later. This meant using videoconferencing software like Zoom, planning asynchronous assignments on the Canvas course management system, and in general, keeping students and professors away from potentially increasing the rate of infection from the COVID-19 virus. From there, the decision was made for students to move out of dorms, faculty to leave their offices, and only essential staff be on campus, because of the community spread of the virus. Within a week’s time, graduation ceremonies were cancelled, and campus life ended unexpectedly for the year.  

     These decisions were swift and necessary to protect the health of the entire University community. Yet, as a school of social work, faculty recognize that our students and alumni are working in organizations and settings that are frontline responders to individuals, families, and communities being affected by the larger macro system, as tough decisions are announced for the sake of public health. 

     As the University administration made plans to essentially end normal campus life through May (and likely beyond then), we started receiving emails from students and alumni working in the field. Some questions received were phrased as if we were still having our classroom discussions: “What do you think are the ethical best practices for home visits during this pandemic?” “Should I consider making a case to be redeployed across the larger medical campus so I can provide social work services to the target populations most in need?”

     More often, though, the questions focused on mental health, management of anxiety, and overall self-care. It seemed evident that graduates were reaching out because everything in the world was changing rapidly. Our alumni were struggling to effectively provide care to their clients while trying to balance their own fear and uncertainty, not only for themselves, but their family and friends, as well. Dr. Sara Sanders, our program’s former director and now Associate Dean at the University of Iowa, recommended the School of Social Work organize a support session for students and alumni to come together as a community. This gathering would provide an online forum to share, learn, and grow together as we navigate the uncertain waters of the pandemic. 

     On Thursday, March 20, we announced a Zoom session open to our alumni social workers for the upcoming Sunday evening. We used our usual social media outlets to promote the event. By Sunday morning, almost 110 people had indicated they were interested in attending, and 25 confirmed they would be attending. 

     In preparation for this initial session, we developed a general outline: 

• Introductions: “What brings us here today?”
• Break out into smaller group discussion.
• In groups, discussion of the following topics: 
• Where we work, and who we are serving.
• A personal “check-in” to the small group: “How are we doing?” 
• What issues have we encountered in working with our target populations?
• What solutions have we found?
• What are we doing for our self-care? 

     The first session was a success.  Through our session, the following themes emerged. 

     Naming of feelings.  Social workers in the session were struggling with isolation and were looking for ways to identify these feelings at work and home. One social worker talked about feeling as if she was “repeating the same level of a video game over and over,” where she knew the moves she needed to make, but nothing changed or progressed. Individuals expressed being scared, overwhelmed, concerned about their clients/patients/families, and uncertain about their own employment future.

     Identifying the things that bring us joy. Social workers shared the small things that helped them through their day: watching a few “cute cat videos,” being more available for family, and asking for and receiving validation for what we are going through. They also saw joy in being with co-workers and having their co-workers come to them for support and guidance.

     Coping with new challenges, and concerns about the future. Examples shared in the group included facing increased openly racist behavior, an evident result of rhetorical scapegoating of the pandemic. Participants shared struggles of working virtually, particularly when one has small children or other family members at home. Professionally, anxiety is mounting over how social workers can best serve our target populations given this shift into what appears to be a “new normal.” Everyone agrees this is a scary time; how are we able to find ways to meet the needs of the people with whom we work? Some social workers were in school settings and were concerned about children returning to challenging family systems, while other social workers were in healthcare and identified that they were being pulled in multiple directions and having to provide services over the phone or were struggling to make adequate referrals.

     Leadership going forward. Group members looked to the future, with the view that “sometime, this crisis will end.” The group moderators posed the question: “How do we, as social workers, find ways to lead in these times?” One social worker noted that it helps to communicate with your legislators. During this time of pandemic, some states and local jurisdictions are ceding emergency decision-making powers to governors and local leaders. This can create an environment where it feels as if our lives are directed by edicts and proclamations, outside of the usual deliberative process. For example, in Iowa, the state legislature has suspended activity, and the governor has directed that business like barber shops be closed for at least two weeks. In the group discussion, it was noted that social workers should be in contact with their representative legislators, who are able to communicate to the relevant committees that have a direct line to the governor. 

     Next steps. At the end of the breakout sessions, we brought all the participants back together to discuss plans. We asked the group if the session was helpful. The response was very positive, and we established a plan to meet weekly for the time being. The group will remain open so individuals can come and go depending on their needs and concerns for that week. Participants remarked that having people to talk with during the session who understood social work, ethics, and the multiple demands being carried reduced stress and anxiety. While anecdotal, we viewed this feedback as positive, and it supported our belief that social workers were carrying a great deal of weight of the pandemic on their shoulders.

     Going forward, we plan to meet weekly to focus on the following: 

• Creating a space for support and validation. Social workers represent a wide variety of dedicated people, working to serve people in all stages of their lives. We benefit from sharing with each other and validating each other’s experiences during this time.
• Identifying the unique strengths social workers possess. Particularly in this time when more people are focusing on the social determinants of health, the role of the social worker is vital. In this time of a constant flow of discouraging news and an unknown future, we must be ready to lead. We do not have the luxury of waiting for others to direct us. 
• Encouraging ongoing self-care. The nature of the pandemic will lead to volatile, immediate needs, not only of the people we serve, but of our families and ourselves. Looking after one’s self is more important than ever. 

     We take the perspective that the School of Social Work should be able to extend support and care to our graduates as part of our lifelong relationship with the current and next generation of social workers. We recognize that as the pandemic expands to more communities and the social/physical distancing continues, the demand for social workers to intervene at multiple levels of the system and to provide crisis management will only grow. Social workers will need to be on the frontlines helping with community planning, crisis response, grief and loss, family stressors, mental health, and supporting the healthcare professionals. to name a few roles. We are “system thinkers” who have unique skills to intervene in intense situations. We are prepared for this and have countless examples of how we help systems address major problems effectively.  

Sara Sanders, PhD, MSW, is Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Iowa. She is a professor in the School of Social Work and former director.

Stephen P. Cummings, MSW, ACSW, LISW, is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Iowa School of Social Work, where he is the administrator for distance education. Stephen writes The New Social Worker's Social Work Tech Notes column.